New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 439 Lisa's Secret

The next day, Claire headed to Cryptonic to meet Winnie. She couldn't shake off her curiosity about what Winnie had discovered-it was like waiting to open a mystery gift. Claire arrived early, making herself comfortable in her office.

Her first stop? The hacker forums, because if there was one thing she knew, it was that Eligos loved to sneak his digital nose where it didn't belong. After confirming everything was secure (for now), she leaned back in her chair and glanced at the clock. Noon couldn't come fast enough.

When the clock struck twelve, a soft knock sounded at her door.

"Come in!" Claire called, standing up to greet Winnie.

Winnie entered with a polite smile, carrying herself with her usual quiet composure. "Good afternoon, Claire," she said softly.

"Hey, Winnie," Claire replied warmly, gesturing toward the couch. "Come, sit. How've you been?"

"I'm fine, thank you," Winnie answered, her voice calm but a little too formal.

Claire tilted her head, sensing there was more to the story. "Any trouble on your end? Anything weird going on?"

Winnie hesitated, then let out a small sigh. "Well, sometimes it's hard to act neutral when Lisa acts... odd or suddenly turns mysterious as if she is seeing me right through my soul."

Claire chuckled knowingly. "Odd is putting it lightly. That woman's like a firecracker with a faulty fuse-never know when she's gonna blow."

Winnie cracked a small smile, seeming a little more at ease.

"All right," Claire said, leaning forward. "What have you got for me? Spill it."

Winnie straightened up, her tone turning serious. "Lisa's been having a visitor. And not just a one-time thing but this woman has visited her twice." Claire's brows shot up. "Twice? That's interesting. Who is it?"

"That's the thing," Winnie replied, leaning in. "Every time I ask Lisa about it, she denies it. Flat-out denies she's had anyone over."

"Of course she does," Claire muttered, rolling her eyes. "Classic Lisa. Who's the mystery guest?"

Evelyn," Winnie said

single bell. "Who the heck is Evelyn? Lisa's got

"I only know what the receptionist told

wasn't exactly the type to have coffee dates or deep friendships. The idea of her sneaking around with someone named Evelyn was weird. Too weird. "Okay," Claire finally said, snapping out of her thoughts. "Keep an eye on her, but don't push too hard. We

"I'll try

go full psycho on you, get out of there. Don't try to play hero. Just leave." Winnie swallowed hard and nodded again, her

"Promise me," Claire pressed.

Winnie

stood and left the office, leaving Claire to sink back onto the couch, deep in thought. Lisa and a secret visitor? Something about it didn't sit right. Before she could dwell too long, her door burst open without so much

up to see Matthew strolling in like he owned the place. "Ever heard of

to see you too," Matthew replied, grinning as

here? You're supposed to be home, resting. You know, letting

waved her off. "I'm fine. It's not

it for a second. "And who told you that? Dr.

is not as bad as that guy from college who punched mean the face because I took

"What am I gonna do with

"Anyway, I just ran into Winnie

deciding there was no harm in filling him in. "She was updating me on the Lisa situation."

into her seat, "apparently Lisa's been having a

forward, his interest

face still

Matthew echoed, thinking for a moment. Then he shook his head. "Nope. Doesn't ring

had shared, from Lisa's denials to the receptionist's slip of the

she was done, Matthew sat back and let out a low whistle. "Lisa's got

"Lisa's not

Matthew agreed, tapping his fingers on

kept watching, but I told her not to take any risks. If Lisa so much as twitches wrong, I want her out of there." "Smart," Matthew said,

or not is still q big question